President Trump has gotten another crucial win. This has the Left in a fit of rage.
And Democrats were blindsided after judges handed the Trump admin a win on a silver platter.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Trump’s $2 Billion Foreign Aid Reduction
In a pivotal ruling on Wednesday, a federal appeals court granted President Trump the authority to withhold roughly $2 billion in foreign aid, reversing a lower court’s mandate that required the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to maintain funding for previously contracted work. The decision, handed down by a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, marks a significant step in the administration’s efforts to reshape foreign aid priorities.
Nonprofits’ Challenge Falls Short
The 2-1 ruling struck down a temporary restraining order issued in February by District Judge Amir Ali, a Biden appointee. The order had been prompted by a lawsuit from two nonprofits, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and Journalism Development Network, challenging Trump’s first-day executive action to pause foreign aid funding for 90 days.
The organizations contended that the president overreached by effectively dismantling USAID and cutting funds already approved by Congress.
In the majority opinion, Judge Karen Henderson, appointed by former President George H.W. Bush, argued that the nonprofits lacked the legal standing to challenge the administration’s funding freeze.
The district court erred in granting that relief because the grantees lack a cause of action to press their claims,” Henderson said.
She was joined by Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee, who cited the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits such challenges to the Government Accountability Office, a congressional oversight body.
In a dissenting opinion, Judge Florence Pan, a Biden appointee, called the funding freeze “unlawful” and warned of its potential to foster “tyranny.”
She stated, “The court’s acquiescence in and facilitation of the Executive’s unlawful behavior derails the carefully crafted system of checked and balanced power that serves as the greatest security against tyranny – the accumulation of excessive authority in a single Branch.”
A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget praised the ruling, explaining to Reuters it would stop “radical left dark money groups” from “maliciously interfering with the president’s ability to spend responsibly and to administer foreign aid in a lawful manner in alignment with his America First policies.”
Aggressive Push to Cut Aid
The administration’s push to scale back foreign aid gained traction earlier this year with a State Department memo revealing plans to cut approximately $60 billion in spending and eliminate 92% of USAID’s grants. This followed an audit, initiated by Trump, that reviewed nearly 15,000 grants and targeted around 10,000 for termination, with USAID as the primary focus.
The agency was among the first targeted by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency due to claims of rampant waste, fraud, and mismanagement.
The ruling comes after the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, declined to lift Ali’s restraining order earlier this year. Last month, Congress further supported the administration’s agenda by approving a White House request to redirect about $8 billion originally designated for USAID.
This decision bolsters Trump’s ability to realign foreign aid with his “America First” priorities, while reigniting discussions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
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